Nandrolone Decanoate Therapy for Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Abstract

A double-blind study was carried out in 18 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis to determine the role of androgen therapy in the anemia of chronic renal failure. Nine patients who received nandrolone decanoate for three months responded with a mean rise in hemoglobin value of 1.2 ± 0.8 gm/100 ml, in hematocrit reading of 4.3 ± 0.8%, and in their red blood cell mass of 325 ± 44 ml. Control groups altered their hemoglobin value 0.1 ± 0.2 gm/100 ml, hematocrit reading 0.4 ± 0.6%, and red blood cell mass 11 ± 66 ml. The differences between these groups were significant at P values<.01,<.001, and <.025, respectively. The data indicate that androgen therapy improves the anemia of chronic renal failure.